GIDS-1 NMC/CAC Upper Air Daily Weather Map Imagery 1.0 General Description The National Meteorological Center (NMC) and Climate Analysis Center (CAC) Upper Air Daily Weather Map Series imagery is one of several image datasets provided as part of the GEWEX Continental-scale International Project (GCIP) Initial Dataset One (GIDS-1). The upper air map imagery covers most of the northern hemisphere at the 500 mb level. The NMC/CAC upper air map imagery contains daily maps valid 1200 UTC for the entire GIDS-1 time period (01 February 1992 through 30 April 1992). 2.0 Detailed Data Description The NMC/CAC Daily Weather Map Series publication is a weekly publication of the National Weather Service NMC Meteorological Operations Division and Climate Analysis Center. They are derived from operational maps produced by NMC. The 500-millibar (mb) height contour map shows height contours and isotherms of the 500-mb surface at 1200 UTC. Height contours are shown as continuous lines labeled in dekameters above sea level. Isotherms are shown as dashed lines labeled in degrees celsius. Wind barbs show the wind direction and speed (knots). Areas of high and low heights are labeled accordingly. Hard copy printed maps were collected weekly for the GIDS-1 period (01 February through 30 April 1992). From this dataset each 500- mb map was digitized (scanned) to a Graphics Interchange Format (GIF) file at 300 dots per inch resolution. The 500-mb map imagery coincide with the NMC/CAC Daily Weather Map Series surface map imagery (1200 UTC), the GOES-7 infrared 8 km resolution imagery (1200 UTC or closest available time), and composite radar reflectivity imagery (1200 UTC or closest available time). These GIF images can be viewed using any standard GIF display software package. Further general information on GIF files, structure and format are provided in the References. 2.1 Data Remarks These maps may be reproduced freely, with proper credit to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 3.0 Quality Control Processing No additional quality control was performed on the imagery by the UCAR/Office of Field Project Support. 4.0 References Kay: Graphics File Formats, 2/E. ISBN: 0-07-034025-0, McGraw Hill. Luse, M: Bitmapped Graphics Programming in C++. ISBN: 0-201- 63209-8, Addison-Wesley.